The King's Speech Review

 There are no spoilers in this review.

PLOT: The true story of King George VI who suffered from a debilitating stammer and the unconventional speech therapist who worked with him.


THE GOOD: Acting. As a cast, The King's Speech has the best acting of the year. Colin Firth gives my favorite performance of the year as Prince Albert/The Duke of York/Bertie/King George VI. It's an intense performance that will earn him an Oscar nomination, and most likely a win. Also impressive was Geoffrey Rush as Bertie's Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. I also expect a supporting actor Oscar nomination for Rush, but he'll probably be up against Christian Bale's great performance in The Fighter. Guy Pearce and Helena Bonham Carter are also great supporting actors.

LIONEL: "I actually received this device from a prostitute I met in Belgium... this and chlamydia."

Message. If I were a high school Speech or English teacher, I would want to play this movie for my students along with another great, Dead Poets Society. Sure, send a permission slip home with the kids because of the bad language (which isn't used in any sort of violent context, may I add), but The King's Speech has some of the most beautiful messages delivered via film in 2010. In the end, King George VI battled within his own head more than anyone or anything. It isn't until Bertie accepts Lionel's help as a friend that he realizes his problem. Teens could really benefit from the messages that this film delivers about fear, self-esteem, respect, and friendship. Our past may haunt us, but it doesn’t have to define us.

Cinematography. For a dialogue-heavy film, my eye was still very much attracted to everything happening on screen because of the unique cinematography. Loved the shots of the camera moving in and out during the speech therapy montage. You barely ever see a character in the center of the screen. Heck, sometimes the whole screen will be filled with nothing but blankness and then an actor's head from above the shoulders in the corner. When characters are talking to each other, I noticed that they are often looking toward the outside of the screen. Traditionally, you have the actors' faces face the inside of the screen, but not here (check out this clip to see what I mean). It's uncomfortable and awkward, just like how King George VI must have felt while talking. Because of this bold camera work, the movie never feels slow. The pacing is quite good and I would love to see this movie many more times to see the shots I might have missed. Kudos to Danny Cohen.

Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth suddenly realize that they are at an anti-hat rally.

Tom Hooper. This is the first movie I have seen by British director, Tom Hooper. His previous film, The Damned United was met with fairly high praise, but the word on it never really spread overseas. Only Hooper's third feature film, The King's Speech is a sign of great things to come for this 38-year-old director.


THE BAD: Nothing.


THE END: Here is my prediction... the following movies will be nominated for Best Picture: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech, and The Social Network. If I were a member of the Academy, I would vote for The King's Speech. I put it at #3 on my Top Ten Movies of 2010 list. I actually put it behind Inception, but if I really wanted to, I would put them in a tie. Overall, I think The King's Speech is a more quality made film. I like everything about it and could watch it over and over again many times. If you can't tell by now, I am recommending this movie. Go out and see it now!


DISCUSS: What did you think of The King's Speech? Do you agree with the R rating? Would you show this movie to someone under 17? What did you think of the acting? Where do you think this movie will win in the Oscars this year?

Prince Albert about to sing the national anthem at the Yankees' season opener.